VIDEO: On This Day 12/4 - Gus van Sant's PSYCHO Remake is Released

Welcome to BWW Movies World's new daily ON THIS DAY series celebrating film openings and special events that took place on this day in cinematic history!

On December 4, 1998, Gus Van Sant's shot-for-shot remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic horror film PSYCHO was released in theaters. The film has gone down in history as one of the most "pointless" remakes, according to the great film critic Roger Ebert.

Many are still confused as to why van Sant, an acclaimed director, would even consider approaching a film which has easily solidified itself as one of the most influential pieces every made. He viewed the project as a necessary "experiment." The critics - and most fans - disagreed.

PSYCHO follows a young female embezzeler who arrives at the Bates Motel - only to find out its owner and her son have terrible secrets of its own.